Politics Egypt: YouTube user sentenced to six months in prison
Egypt is once again cracking down on content on social networks such as Tiktok and YouTube. A court sentenced an Egyptian YouTube user to six months in prison and a fine, as the media reported yesterday evening. A lawyer had filed a complaint against Hischam al-Masri for allegedly defaming religions on Facebook and YouTube. Al-Masri, who has around 150,000 subscribers on YouTube, intends to appeal against the verdict.
31.08.2025, 15:17
SDA
Security authorities in the North African country have been stepping up their crackdown on social media content for several weeks now. According to security forces and reports, at least eight Tiktok users have recently been arrested for alleged indecency. The authorities accuse them of "obscene language" and "violations of family values" as well as money laundering.
"Aggressive campaign" against women in particular
Similar arrests and court rulings have been taking place in Egypt for around five years. During this period, the human rights organization EIPR counted similar accusations against around 150 people in at least 109 different cases.
EIPR speaks of an "aggressive campaign" that targets young women in particular. Most of them come from rather humble backgrounds and have gained fame and money through online content. However, users who deviate from the official interpretations of Muslim and Christian institutions, for example on issues relating to homosexuality, are also being targeted.
The government sees the arrests as necessary steps to maintain "social norms" in the country. There is "broad public support" for the arrests, the state news website Al-Ahram reported just last week.
Fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and assembly have been severely curtailed in Egypt since current President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi came to power in 2013 following a military coup. According to the US organization Freedom House, content on social media and mobile apps, among other things, is strictly monitored.
